14th -> 16th July (Cape Tribulation)

This was the closest to the wild Australia I got, and I loved it. The bus ride there took us to a few stops on the way: a rainforest walk, a mangrove swamp and boardwalk, a creek that was sacred to local Aboriginals (and I could see why) and an animal sanctuary for animals injured by human activity. There was a giant croc in the sanctuary as well as others... I just hope it was hurt by a boat rather than a car... otherwise I'm worried!

Once we got to Cape Trib it was awesome. Fanely and I stayed in a backpackers called PK's, in the middle of the forest, but only 200 metres from the beach. We instantly met a new croud and went for gorge walks (with wild crocs) and explored the various beaches. That night a group of us decided to go to the beach to start a bonfire, and Fanely had a torch. We were halfway there when we saw some silhouettes (can't spell) in the distance. A group of Americans (had to be) had tried to make their was to the beach guided by the lights from their lighter... and run out of gas... Now to make this clear, it wasn't a road, or a tarmac paths to the beach, it was a thin board walk over mangrove swamps to get to the beach. In other words we called them various words all meaning 'idiot' had a good giggle and they joined us for the ngiht. They also had a pile of firewood so it was a good coinsidence.

The next day we walked, talked, beached and sunned our selves and a few of us went sea kayaking on possibly the windiest day for months. Some people found it a bit too hard, but I loved it! Crashing over the waves and flying over waves and slapping back down on the otherside just to do it all again. It was a guided trip, so we went to a secluded beach and walked to a summit and looking out over the sea, beautiful.

After a brilliant excape from the city, it was over in three days and we headed back to Cairns, but not for long. Fanely and I had enjoyed the romantic side of the beach walks and decided to continue together to Mission beach and Magnetic island. A guy, named Jake, who we met in Cape Trib was driving to Townsville (a ferry ride away from magnetic island) in a few days, so our plan was set.